'Editorial Office of Journal of Global Change Data and Discovery'
Doi
Abstract
On 11 March 2020, COVID-19 was officially characterized as a pandemic. By this time, the SARS-CoV-2 virus had already spread across continents, causing significant morbidity and mortality, and affecting social and economic systems. The complexities of the impact of COVID-19 call for multidisciplinary to trans-disciplinary research that goes beyond epidemiology research and practice. We aimed to (1) provide a narrative review of scientific knowledge of COVID-19, (2) place the developments by international organizations, governments, and individuals (including researchers at all levels) into a wider context, (3) provide practical suggestions for all actors to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic in the short term within the context of large uncertainties, and (4) describe the need for systemic transformations for sustainability using a trans-disciplinary systems approach. In summary, the literature revealed that improvements of surveillance, prevention, and control programs for the prevention of pandemics are needed to safeguard public health. Embracing a trans-disciplinary systems-based approach with experts from a wide variety of fields will be essential to prevent future outbreaks and other health risks, taking into account the complexities of natural and social systems
